Community Center in Vietnam

April 28th... SEE UPDATE #2
We are onto Phase 2

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Many people have mixed feelings when they hear the word “Vietnam”. There are plenty of opinions about the Indochina/Vietnam/American War – use whatever name relates to your country.This country has been invaded numerous times and not because they attacked their neighbors but because someone wanted Vietnam’s land to profit from the country’s resources. Regardless of the politics, the children and the families are resilient and tenacious.

It only took two weeks in this beautiful country for me to fall in love with the people, the land and of course the coffee is awesome! I have been here over a year and plan to stay a few more years and help to establish the idea of community centers at the local level. Vietnam has community centers but they are run by the government and not very “kid-friendly”.The concept of a Boys and Girls Club or YMCA/YWCA does not exist in this area. Our home will be a pilot project to work out the kinks.

"Our home" - I have support here on the ground but I choose to keep their identities anonymous.

I am going to rent this home and open it up to the community for social use. I will live here along with a female Vietnamese friend. There is a little field down the street where the boys play soccer but I never see girls outside playing. We will provide free art classes, singing and music. Activities will also include educational tutoring and English language learning for the adults and the children. Many Vietnamese people want to improve their English skills.

From the pictures you can see that the area needs to be cleaned up.I would like to create an outdoor classroom on the right side of the house. And I will need some help removing the debris.The inside of this 2 bedroom is in good condition but it is completely unfurnished no refrigerator or stove. At some point there will be a phase 2 to this fundraising effort as we will need to purchase supplies for this project ( art supplies, tables, computers, etc.) But for now we just need to secure the house and clean it up.

TIMELINE

**First Deadline**

By this Sunday April 22nd (Saturday for those in the West) I need $1000 to secure the home when I sign the contract with the owners.

AND

**Second Deadline**

Then $1500 at the end of the month April 30^th , so that I can begin moving in and cleaning up the outside. I have put the end date of the goal to May 5^th.

Thank you in advance for your help!

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